Virginia Governor Declares State of Emergency Over Statewide Hay Shortage

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a State of Emergency on September 16, 2026, in response to a statewide hay shortage caused by ongoing drought conditions. The declaration, Executive Order 21, took effect that day and remains in force for 45 days. It allows over-width exemption waivers for carriers transporting hay, intended to ease logistical barriers for farmers seeking to secure feed supplies. According to the Governor's office, persistent drought has caused a statewide loss of about 35 percent in hay yields, with losses reaching as high as 70 percent in some areas. The office also reported that from the start of the 2026 grazing season through June, farmers were forced to prematurely feed hay to livestock for at least 30 of 90 days due to poor pasture conditions, reflecting the severity and duration of the drought's impact on agricultural operations across the state. The executive order is currently in effect and set to expire after its 45-day term unless extended or otherwise modified. It remains unclear whether additional state or federal relief measures will follow, and no information is available on the specific counties or regions most affected beyond the statewide yield-loss figures. A separate report referencing Spanberger rescinding a prior executive order related to state police and immigration enforcement concerns a distinct policy matter and was not corroborated by other sources in this set, so its accuracy and relevance to the hay shortage emergency cannot be confirmed.